Device for fastening an endotracheal tube

ABSTRACT

A device for immovably securing an endotracheal tube after it had been inserted into the airway of the patient. A pair of supports are removably fastened to the air inlet end of the tube. A belt is secured to the supports and snugly positioned around the neck of the patient. Each end of the belt includes complementary coupling means for removably fastening on to one of the supports. An adhesive strip is positioned on the belt between the ends thereof for adhering to the back of the neck. The supports may include a pair of jaws acting as a spring for tightly embracing the tube.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a device for immovably securing atube to a patient, and more specifically relates to a device forimmovably securing an endotracheal tube to the patient.

When a patent's airway is partially or completely obstructed, thepatient will exhibit respiratory distress. This could progress torespiratory arrest and even death. Therefore, it is imperative to keepthe airways open. In the event of air blockage or when the patient hasstopped breathing, an endotracheal tube is usually chosen initially as ameans for quickly transmitting air directly to the lung area.

The endotracheal tube is inserted either into the nose or mouth, andthen passed through the larynx and into the trachea. Generally, a cuffsecured to the air outlet end of the tube is inflated and fills thespace between the outside of the tube and the trachea when a sealedairway is required for mechanical ventilation.

Presently after the air outlet end of the endotracheal tube ispositioned in the trachea, adhesive tape is usually used for securingthe air inlet end of the tube to the face of the patient. Frequently,the tape would loosen due to head movement and the tube would migrateupward, sideways or drift downward and thereby appreciably reduce theeffectiveness of the tube for providing needed air flow. Moreover, thetube could even descend into one of the bronchi and cause a lung tocollapse. Thus, the medical attendant must be continually vigilent thatthe adhesive tape does not loosen, and that the endotracheal tuberemains always immovably secured. This is often very difficult for themedical attendant to do, due to the many other duties and services heand she is required to perform, unless the patient has his or herprivate medical attendant or nurse.

The subject invention overcomes the aforedescribed problem and providesa device for immovably securing the endotracheal tube to the patient.

Therefore, a primary object of the invention is to insure efficientoperation of an endotracheal tube and provide a continuous and properair flow through the respiratory system of the patient.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a fastening devicefor immovably securing an endotracheal tube to the patient.

Another object is to provide a fastening device for an endotracheal tubewhich is easily assembled and disassembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved means forimmovably securing a tube inserted inside the airway of a patient aroundthe neck of the patient; and more specifically relates to a fasteningdevice for immovably securing an endotracheal tube to the patient.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a pair of supportsare attached to the air inlet end of an endotracheal tube. Each supportincludes an opening. A belt having a pair of cooperating fasteners ateach end thereof is positioned around the neck of the patient. One endof the belt is passed through one of the openings of the support andlooped over the adjacent portion of the belt for the cooperatingfasteners to fasten together; and similarly, the other end of the beltis passed through the opening of the other support and looped over theadjacent portion of the belt for the cooperating fasteners at the otherend to fasten together, so that the endotracheal tube is in a secure andimmovable position.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the fasteningdevice includes a clamp having a pair of jaws for removably attaching tothe air inlet end of the endotracheal tube. A wing having an opening isattached to each jaw. A belt having cooperating fastening means at eachend thereof is positioned around the neck of the patient. One end of thebelt is passed through the opening of one of the wings and looped overto an adjacent portion of the belt for the cooperating fastening meansat said one end to fasten together; and similarly, the other end of thebelt is passed through the opening of the other wing for the cooperatingfastening means at said other end to fasten together.

The cooperating fastening means comprises a fastening tab at the topside at each end of the belt. Inward from each fastening tab is acooperating fastening section. The fastening tab may include a pluralityof tiny hooks and the fastening section may include a plurality of tinycooperating loops.

An adhesive strip is centrally located on the bottom side of the beltfor adhering to the back of the neck of the patient, to further securethe endotracheal tube to the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding similar parts throughout the severalfigures of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for fastening on to anendotracheal tube, embodying the principals of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the endotracheal tube having an airexpandable cuff;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the belt for fastening around the neck of thepatient;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the belt;

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment for the belt support of thefastening device;

FIG. 6 shows a modified embodiment for the belt support of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows the belt attached to the belt support in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows another alternate embodiment for the fastening device andillustrates a clamp arrangement removably attached to the endotrachealtube;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the clamp used in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates the endotracheal tube positioned in the airway ofthe patient;

FIG. 11 illustrates the fastening device of FIG. 1 securing endotrachealtube around the neck of the patient;

FIG. 12 illustrates still another alternative embodiment for thefastening device and shows in perspective a pair of clamps removablypositioned on the air inlet end of the tube; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational fragmented view showing the belt fastenedto the clamps embracing the air inlet end of the endotracheal tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more specifically to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 10indicates generally a device for removably securing an endotracheal tube12 to the neck of the patient. The securing device 10 comprises asupport plate 14 and a belt 16.

As may be seen from FIG. 2, the endotracheal tube 12 is elongated,hollow and has a curved configuration. The tube 12 is operativelypositioned in the trachea via the mouth and through the larynx. The tube12 includes a body portion 17, an air inlet end 18 and an air outlet end20. An inflatible cuff 22 is attached to the outside of the air outletend 20.

A hollow air tubular member 24 is connected to the cuff 22 at the innerend 25 and to an air valve 26 at the outer end 27. The outer part 24a ofthe tubular member 24 is flexible and the remaining part 24b of thetubular member is secured to the side wall of the tube 12. A syringe 28may be used to open the air valve 26 and inject air for passage throughthe tubular member 24 and into the cuff 22. The cuff should be inflatedto a volume that provides adequate occlusion around the air outlet end20 of the tube 14 without damaging adjacent areas of the trachea.

The support plate 14 has a substantially rectangular shape and includesa pair of spaced apart rectangular holes 29,30, each dimensioned toreceive the width and thickness of the belt 16.

The belt 16 is elongated and includes a pair of opposite ends 31,32, atop side 34 and a bottom side 36. A fastening tab 38 is attached to thetop side 34 of the belt 16 at the end 31, and a similar fastening tab 40is also attached to the top side 34 of the belt 16 at the end 32 (FIG.3). Each fastening tab 38,40 includes a plurality of tiny hooks 42.

Inward from end 31 of the belt 16 and adjacent to the fastening tab 38is a cooperating fastening section 44; and similarly, inward from beltend 32 and adjacent to fastening tab 40 is a cooperating fasteningsection 46. Each fastening section 44,46 is formed from a pile ofmaterial having a plurality of tiny loops 47.

The tiny hooks 42 of the fastening tabs 38,40 removably fastenrespectively to the tiny loops 48 of the fastening sections 44,46. Hookfasteners and cooperating loop or pile fasteners sold under thetrademark VELCRO are representative of the fasteners which may be usedherein.

The bottom side 36 of the belt 16 (FIG. 4) includes an adhesive strip48, which is centrally positioned and spaced from the ends 31,32. Theadhesive strip 48 may be covered with a protective outer paper covering(not shown).

To securely fasten the endotracheal tube 14 to the patient, the belt 16is encircled around the patient's neck, and the belt end 31 is passedthrough hole 30 and the belt end 32 is passed through hole 29. Theadhesive strip 48 on the bottom side of the belt 16 is centered at theback of the neck and any protective covering is removed, and theadhesive strip 48 is pressed against the back of the neck to adherethereto.

The belt end 32 is tightened by looping the belt end 32 over the side 49of the support plate 14 for attaching the fastening tab 40 to thefastening section 46. Similarly, the belt end 31 is tightened by loopingthe belt end 30 over the side 50 of the support plate 14 so that thefastening tab 38 attached to the fastening section 44. After the beltends 31,32 are secured and the adhesive strip 48 is adhering to the backof the neck, the endotracheal tube 12 is held in a secure and fixedposition. Each belt end 31,32 may be readily adjusted if necessary, tovary the position of the tube 12.

As may be seen from FIG. 1, the plate 14 is part of an insert indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 51 and including an upper hollowannular portion 51a extending upward from the top side of plate 14 and alower annular hollow portion 51b extending downward from the bottom sideof plate 14. The lower annular portion 51b may be press fitted into orotherwise attached to the body 17 of the endotracheal tube 12. Thehollow insides of the upper annular portion 51a and the lower annularportion 51b are in communication via an opening in the plate 14. The airinlet end 18 of the tube may include the insert 51.

In FIG. 5, another embodiment for supporting the belt 12 is shown. Apair of opposed and substantially "U" shaped brackets 52,53 areintegrally formed to the outside of the upper annular portion 54 at theair inlet end 18 of the endotracheal tube 12. The brackets 52,53 providesupports for the belt ends 31,32. The blocking plate 55 prevents theannular portion from descending into the mouth of the patient.

As shown in FIG. 6, a pair of "U" shaped brackets 56,57 may beintegrally formed spaced apart to the outside of a hollow sleeve 58. Thesleeve 58 may be formed from a pliable and resilient material such as asuitable plastic.. The edges 59,60 of the side wall 62 of the sleeve 58are shown spaced apart to provide an adjustible opening 64. The sleeve58 press fits on to the outside of the tube air inlet end 18 of the tube12. It may be positioned on the upper annular portion 51a or along thebody 17 of the tube 12.

Each bracket 56,57 includes a pair of side bars 66,67 and a linking bar68. The belt end 32 extends inside the bracket 56 and loops over thelinking bar 68 of the bracket 56, so that the tab 40 fastens to thefastening section 46. Similarly, the belt end 31 extends inside thebracket 57 and loops over the linking bar 68 of the bracket 57 for thetab 38 to fasten to the fastening section 44.

Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of the invention of adevice for securing an endotracheal tube 12 is shown and identifiedgenerally by the reference numeral 70. The securing device 70 includes aclamp 72 having a first jaw 74 and a second jaw 76 for clamping to theoutside of the air inlet end 18 of the endotracheal tube 12. The clamp72 includes a first wing 78 associated with the first jaw 74 and asecond wing 80 associated with the second jaw 76. A web 82 connects thefirst jaw 74 with the second jaw 76.

The clamp 72 is a spring. In the normal position for the clamp 72, thefirst jaw 74 is spaced a minimum distance from the second jaw 76 or bothjaws 74,76 may be in contact with each other. Upon pressing the wings78,80 toward each other the first jaw 74 and second jaw 76 spread apartfrom their normal position for positioning on the outside of the airinlet end of the endotracheal tube 12. Upon releasing the pressing forcefrom the wings 78,80, the jaws 74,76 embrace the tube 12 and resilientlylock thereon.

Each wing 78,80 has a substantially "U" shape and includes a pair ofspaced apart side rods 86,87 and a linking rod 88 connecting the siderods 86,87. A pair of feet 92,93 are attached respectively to the innerends 94,95 of the side rods 86,87 of wing 78, and a pair of feet 96,97are attached respectively to the inner ends of the side rods 86,87 ofthe corresponding wings 78,80. A first pair of feet (not shown) areattached to the first jaw 74 and to the wing 78, and a second pair offeet 92,93 similar to the first pair of feet are attached to the secondjaw 76 and wing 80.

When the linking rods 88 of wings 78,80 are pressed toward each otherupon the application of an external force, the feet of the first jaw 74and the feet 92,93 of the second jaw 76 cause the jaws 74,76 to moveaway from each other to provide a sufficiently large opening. The clamp72 is then positioned around the endotrachael tube 12 and tightlyembraced thereon when the external force is removed.

The belt end 32 extends inside the wing 78 and loops over the linkingrod 88 of the wing 78, so that the tab 40 fastens to the fasteningsection 46. Similarly, the belt end 31 extends inside the wing 80 andloops over the linking rod 88 of the wing 80, for the tab 38 to fastento the fastening section 44.

Another embodiment for securing the endotracheal tube is shown in FIGS.12 and 13 and identified generally by the reference numeral 96. A firstclamp 98 is removably fastened to end 31 of the belt 16 and a secondclamp 99 is removably fastened to end 32 of the belt 16, The first andsecond clamps 98,99 are similar to clamp 72 in FIG. 9, and each clamp98,99 includes a first jaw 74, a second jaw 76, a first wing 78associated with the first jaw 74 and a second wing 80 associated withthe second jaw 76.

The clamps 98,99 are resiliently locked on the air inlet end 18 of theendotracheal tube 12 in the same manner as the clamp 72 is fastened onthe tube 12. By having the two clamps 98,99 fastened on the tube 12, theposition of the tube 12 may be more precisely adjusted. Also thetightness of the belt 16 around the patient is more easily controlled.

An annular washer 102 having an opening 104 is inserted on the air inletend 18 of the tube 12 to provide a cushion buffer between the lips ofthe patient and the fastening device 96. The washer 102 is formed from afelt or other suitable soft and non-abrasive material which will notcause sores on the lips from contact therewith.

Although the fastening device 10, the fastening device 70 and thefastening device 96 refer to the immovable fastening of an endotrachealtube to the patient, it should be understood and evident from thedescription that the fastening devices 10,70 and 96 would also besuitable for immovably securing other type tubes or devices to thepatient.

Various modifications of the invention of a fastening device for anendotracheal tube described herein and for other type tubes andapparatuses, are within the spirit, contemplation and scope of theinvention, the scope of which is limited solely and defined by theappended claims.

I claim:
 1. A fastening device for securing a hollow tube after the tubeis inserted into the airway of the patient, said tube having an airinlet end for positioning on the outside of the patient and an airoutlet end, and said device comprising:support means attached to the airinlet end of the tube; a belt positioned around the neck of the patient,said belt including a top side, a bottom side and opposite ends; atleast one end of the belt having complementary fastening means forremovably securing the belt on said support means; and an adhesive stripinterposed on said belt between the ends thereof for adhering to theneck of the patient.
 2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein saidfastening means comprises:a first fastening member positioned at one endof said belt; and a second fastening member positioned adjacent saidfirst fastening member, said one belt end being supported on saidsupport means to overlap the adjacent portion to the belt so that thefirst fastening means removably fastens to said second fastening means.3. The fastening device of claim 2 further includes:a third fasteningmember positioned at the other end of said belt; and a fourth fasteningmember positioned adjacent said third fastening member, said other beltend being supported on said support means to overlap the adjacentportion of the belt so that the third fastening means removably fastensto said fourth fastening means.
 4. The fastening device of claim 2,wherein one of said fastening means includes a plurality of loops andother of said fastening means includes a plurality of hooks forfastening to said loops.
 5. The fastening device of claim 1, whereinsaid support means includes a clamp for removably positioning on saidair inlet end of said tube, said clamp having an opening formed therein,said one end of the belt passing through said opening and overlappingthe adjacent portion of the belt, so that said complementary fasteningmeans secure together.
 6. The fastening device of claim 5, wherein saidclamp includes:a first jaw and a second jaw having a normal position;and a first wing having said opening and attached to the first jaw and asecond wing attached to said second jaw, said one end of the belt beingsupported on said first wing, said wings being pressed toward each otherfor spreading apart said jaws from their normal position when positionedon the air inlet end of said tube.
 7. The fastening device of claim 6,wherein each of said wings have a substantially "U" shaped configurationincluding:a pair of spaced apart side rods having inner ends attached toone of said jaws; a linking rod connecting the outer ends of the rodtogether; and said one end of the belt passing through the space betweensaid side rods and being supported on said linking rod when overlappingthe adjacent portion of the belt, so that said complementary fasteningmeans secure together.
 8. A fastening device for securing a hollow tubeafter the tube is inserted into the airway of the patient, said tubehaving an air inlet end for positioning on the outside of the patientand an air outlet end, and said device comprising:support means attachedto the air inlet end of the tube; a belt positioned around the neck ofthe patient, said belt including a top side, a bottom side and oppositeends; an adhesive strip interposed on said belt between the ends thereoffor adhering to the neck of the patient; a first fastening memberpositioned at one end of said belt; and a second fastening memberpositioned at a portion of the belt adjacent said first fasteningmember, said one belt end being supported on said support means tooverlap the adjacent portion of the belt so that the first fasteningmeans removably fastens to said second fastening means for securing thebelt on the support means.
 9. The fastening device of claim 8, whereinsaid first and second fastening members are positioned on said top sideof said belt and said adhesive strip is positioned on the bottom side ofsaid belt.
 10. A fastening device for securing an endotracheal tubeafter the tube has been inserted into the airway of the patient, saidtube having an air inlet end and an air outlet end, and said devicecomprising:a spring clamp having support means, said clamp including afirst jaw and a second jaw, said jaws having a normal position, saidjaws resiliently urging toward each other when spread apart from saidnormal position for positioning on the outside of the air inlet end ofthe tube; a belt means for positioning around the neck of the patient;and said belt means including complementary fastening means located atone end of the belt for removably attaching said belt means to saidsupport means.
 11. The fastening device of claim 10, wherein saidsupport means includes a pair of substantially "U" shaped brackets, eachof said brackets including spaced apart side bars and a linking barattaching the side bars together, said one end of the belt beingsupported on the linking bar of one of said brackets and the other endof the belt being supported on the linking bar of the other bracket. 12.The fastening device of claim 10, wherein said belt means includes a topside, a bottom side and a pair of opposite ends, and said device furthercomprises:a first wing including an opening attached to said first jaw;a second wing including an opening attached to said second jaw; and saidcomplementary fastening means including: a first fastening memberpositioned at one of said belt ends; and a second fastening memberpositioned at a portion of the belt adjacent said said first fasteningmember, said one belt end passing through the opening of said first wingto overlap the adjacent portion of the belt so that the first fasteningmember removably fastens to said second fastening member, said other endof the belt being associated with said second wing.
 13. The fasteningdevice of claim 12 further includes;a third fastening member attached tothe other end of said belt ends; and a fourth fastening memberpositioned adjacent said third fastening member, said other belt endpassing through the opening of said second wing to overlap the adjacentportion of the belt so that the third fastening member removably fastensto said fourth fastening member.
 14. The fastening device of claim 12wherein said first and second fastening means are attached at the topside of the belt, and said device further includes:an adhesive strippositioned between said ends of the belt and attached to the bottom sideof the belt.
 15. The fastening device of claim 14 further includes:asecond spring clamp having a second support means, said second clampincluding a third jaw and a fourth jaw, said third and fourth jawshaving a normal position and said jaws resiliently urging toward eachother when further spread apart from said normal position forpositioning on the outside of said air inlet end of the tube; and asecond complementary fastening means located at the other end of thebelt for fastening said other belt end to said second support means.